ANTARCTIQUE
RATTRAPANTE ICE BLUE
Czapek & Cie presents the release of a new edition of its Antarctique Rattrapante. The sportive, open-worked split-second chronograph now appears with a touch of blue that enhances the hands and rings on its dial.
presentation
If you have a beautiful engine, you might as well show it off. This is where the art of open-working a watch comes into play. By doing away with the traditional dial, the mechanism is revealed and becomes an integral part of the watch’s aesthetics. Hence this technique requires great care with the decorating, the beveling, the polishing, and the various types of finishing. Furthermore, placing the engine on the dial side and minimizing structural parts also requires ingenious solutions to maintain stability. It’s more challenging if that engine is driving a split-second mechanism activated by clutches, which requires solid anchoring. The results, however, are worth the effort for the magnificent view of a very complex grande complication.
The challenge and the prize when meeting that challenge was the motivation behind Czapek & Cie’s decision to create the Rattrapante line of watches a year ago. The sapphire crystal on the front and on the exhibition case back reveal the intricate choreography of the dial-side mechanism. Immediately recognizable are the two Czapek sub-dials. At 4 o’clock is a 30-minute totalizer, at 7 o’clock the small seconds. In the center of the watch is the tripod bridge that holds down the patented satellite minute train and the split seconds-mechanism. Also clearly visible are the two column wheels needed for the chronograph and the split-second mechanisms respectively.
This latest iteration of the Antarctique is named “Ice Blue.” As the name suggests, this new Rattrapante reveals the special qualities of this colour, exuding calm and poise. “We are continuing to explore the many possibilities offered by this very attractive and popular new family of watches,” says Czapek CEO, Xavier de Roquemaurel. “Adding the blue is like a signature for the whole collection: Antarctica, blue sky, blue sea, blue ice.”
This model features traditionally blued hands that harmonise well with the weave of metallic greys inside the open-worked watch. A closer look reveals a fumé blue shimmer emanating from the minute track and the two totalizer tracks. The effect is produced by the use of sapphire crystal rings that have been treated with metal oxides applied by an evaporation process. Adding to the visual dynamism of the dial is the red chrono hand, known as the trotteuse in French, and the small red “60” at 12 o’clock.
Another salient visual aspect, though, is the dance of levers and cams on the dial of this split-second chronograph and the clamp, which instantly immobilizes one of the chrono wheels when the split-second pusher is activated. The other chronograph hand must then continue its time-counting undisturbed. When the clamp is released, the immobilized hand will “catch up” (rattraper in French) to its companion. Each part must be manufactured to the highest specifications to ensure absolute precision.
This model features traditionally blued hands that harmonise well with the weave of metallic greys inside the open-worked watch. A closer look reveals a fumé blue shimmer emanating from the minute track and the two totalizer tracks. The effect is produced by the use of sapphire crystal rings that have been treated with metal oxides applied by an evaporation process. Adding to the visual dynamism of the dial is the red chrono hand, known as the trotteuse in French, and the small red “60” at 12 o’clock.
Another salient visual aspect, though, is the dance of levers and cams on the dial of this split-second chronograph and the clamp, which instantly immobilizes one of the chrono wheels when the split-second pusher is activated. The other chronograph hand must then continue its time-counting undisturbed. When the clamp is released, the immobilized hand will “catch up” (rattraper in French) to its companion. Each part must be manufactured to the highest specifications to ensure absolute precision.
movement
Driving the Rattrapante Ice Blue is Czapek’s high-performance proprietary caliber SHX6. It was created in collaboration with Chronode and is both a mechanical and aesthetic work of art. “The split-second runs on energy tapped from the second wheel,” explains Xavier. “In this movement, we favored a horizontal clutch rather than a vertical one to highlight the aesthetics of the transmission.” Furthermore, to ensure the streamlined look of the watch, the number of parts and their thickness was reduced to a minimum. Everything had to fit in the 42.5-millimeter case.
The movement counts 49 jewels and 292 components. It beats at 4 Hz (or 28'800 VpH) and is equipped with a variable inertia balance wheel for a better "achevage", or fine tuning, ensuring superlative precision. Its single barrel ensures a power reserve up to 60 hours and is automatically wound by a recycled 5N rose gold rotor. On the decoration side, bridges have been shot-blasted and hand-chamfered. It also features linear satin-finished chronograph levers with hand-polished chamfers, circular satin-finished wheels and black-polished screws, studs and column wheels.
The movement counts 49 jewels and 292 components. It beats at 4 Hz (or 28'800 VpH) and is equipped with a variable inertia balance wheel for a better "achevage", or fine tuning, ensuring superlative precision. Its single barrel ensures a power reserve up to 60 hours and is automatically wound by a recycled 5N rose gold rotor. On the decoration side, bridges have been shot-blasted and hand-chamfered. It also features linear satin-finished chronograph levers with hand-polished chamfers, circular satin-finished wheels and black-polished screws, studs and column wheels.
STRAPS
In fine watchmaking, every little detail counts. Besides the exceptional SHX6 movement and the sleek and sharp design of the case or the dial, a great deal of attention was put on the bracelet. The feeling when placed on the wrist, the comfort and lightness in every situation, are as important as the visual and technical qualities of the timepiece itself. The capability to be forgotten by its wearer and to suddenly reveal its stunning beauty create an intensely pleasurable dichotomy. This is why the Antarctique collection is equipped by an ergonomic brushed integrated bracelet, whose links mesh to form a highly polished "C" for Czapek. Since January 2022, this bracelet also features a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to extend its lenght by few milimeters in an instant.
But there’s more. An additional strap is provided, as Czapek has developed an exclusive quick-change system allowing the wearer to switch from one strap to another. A large range of straps is now offered to provide a maximum versatility and playful experience. 4 rubber straps whose pattern recalls the "Stairway to Eternity" design on the Passage de Drake dial are available in either black, white, dark blue or dark grey. In addition, a selection of soft calf skin straps with contrasting topstitches can be chosen. You can discover them all in this section gallery but also enjoy a nice pre-selection on the 3D rendering in the “Models” section right below. If you are already an Antarctique owner, please know that your straps can also be installed on this Rattrapante!
But there’s more. An additional strap is provided, as Czapek has developed an exclusive quick-change system allowing the wearer to switch from one strap to another. A large range of straps is now offered to provide a maximum versatility and playful experience. 4 rubber straps whose pattern recalls the "Stairway to Eternity" design on the Passage de Drake dial are available in either black, white, dark blue or dark grey. In addition, a selection of soft calf skin straps with contrasting topstitches can be chosen. You can discover them all in this section gallery but also enjoy a nice pre-selection on the 3D rendering in the “Models” section right below. If you are already an Antarctique owner, please know that your straps can also be installed on this Rattrapante!
Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue
Technical Details
Swiss made
Functions
- Split-second monopusher chronograph, hours, minutes & seconds
- Chronograph's minutes at 4:30
- Small seconds at 7:30
- Split-second pusher at 10:30
Movement
- Calibre SXH6: haute horlogerie automatic power-horse movement with a split-second monopusher chronograph module
- Power reserve: 60 hours
- Frequency: 4 Hz - 28’800 VpH
- Variable inertia balance wheel
- Two column wheels, chronograph horizontal clutch, patent-pending split-second clamp
- 49 jewels, 292 components
- Recycled 5N rose gold rotor with Czapek logo
- Diameter: 34mm
Finish
- Finely shotblasted bridges with hand-polished chamfers
- Linear satin-finished chronograph levers with hand-polished chamfers
- Circular satin-finished wheels
- Black-polished screws, studs and column wheels
Hands
- Luminescent, steel "Sword" hands
Case
- 42.5mm stainless-steel case
- Height (with glass-box): 15.3mm
- Perceived height (bezel to case-back): 10.5mm
- Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
- Sapphire case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side
- Water resistance: 120m
- Screwed-down crown
Bracelet
- Integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek exclusive "Easy Release" system
- Additional calf leather or rubber strap
Dial
- Open-worked split-second chronograph on the dial side (world première)
- Sword hours and minutes hands with SuperLuminova treatment
- Split-second hand in full red
- Blue fumé sapphire glass minutes ring and counters made with PVD evaporation
TERMS & CONDITIONS AND PRICES
In this section you will find all the useful information about pre ordering your Antarctique Rattrapante.
THIS PIECE IS NOW SOLD OUT, NO ORDER CAN BE PLACED ANYMORE
Price & Pre-order:
All Antarctique Rattrapante models are priced 50’000.- CHF excluding VAT, including international shipment with a secured carrier. The price in USD is 56’400 USD and includes the 3% cost for duty, the delivery in Connecticut and shipment to your final destination. Please note that for final payment by credit card in USD, a 2% additional fee will be charged to cover the exchange rate difference with CHF.
We kindly ask you to proceed to a downpayment of 12’000.- CHF to confirm your order. You will have then 14 days to eventually decide to cancel your order and get a full refund (excluding banking or transfer fees). If you decide to cancel your order later but before we have started the manufacturing of your timepiece, the deposit paid – less an administrative charge of CHF 1000.- and less the eventual personalization costs incurred – will be refunded. In case of a cancellation after you have been informed that your watch has been fully manufactured, your deposit will not be refundable.
To ensure your absolute satisfaction with your Czapek watch, you will be able to modify your order with our concierge before your watch is entirely produced. Two weeks before the delivery of your Antarctique Rattrapante timepiece, we will send you your final invoice and ask you to proceed with the final payment. The deposit will be deducted from this invoice.
If you have questions about our terms and conditions simply click on the dedicated button below or send us directly an email at [email protected].
Straps, Personal engraving & Delivery:
Czapek & Cie offers you to choose your additional strap and a personal engraving (25 characters maximum including spaces) on the back ring of your watch. All watches come with a box where you will find your second strap with its folding buckle, a screwdriver, two extra links to adjust your metal bracelet and the special tool to easily add or remove them.
We expect the very first pieces to be delivered by the end of 2022. Our production priorities will be planned on a “first come first served” basis. However, if you have a special delivery date demand don’t hesitate to let us know and we will try to adapt our manufacturing schedule to fulfill your request.
We will contact you as soon as your watch is ready to be shipped to organize its delivery. All orders are available for shipping almost worldwide (with possible restrictions to Russia and Ukraine due to the current situation). You also have the option of picking up your timepiece at our Geneva Boutique or at your preferred Czapek retailer.
If you have any questions regarding this subscription or the models available, don’t hesitate to contact us or one of our agents using the form below. Simply choose your country or area and send your message. They will come back to you quickly to assist you.
how to place your order
